Lottery deck delivers the perfect Test for Perth

Cricket needs more mystery surfaces like the one which has provided such rich intrigue in Perth, writes Robert Craddock.

The Perth deck has delivered a mixed bag. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

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Cricket needs more mystery surfaces like the one which has provided such rich intrigue in Perth.

Over two tense days it has made fools of all us at some stages for The Wicked Pitch of the West as it was dubbed generated as much discussion as any player in the match.

Early predictions that it would be a green monster proved unfounded when Australia batted throughout the first session of the match without loss.

The Perth deck has delivered a mixed bag. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Then it’s claws popped out with the occasional grubber, an outrageous sharp lifter that Marcus Harris parried to slip as the bat was beaten more than 30 times in the last two sessions of day one.

“It’s going to be a short game,’’ said a smiling Harris after day one.

Everyone agreed.

But then something strange happened. On day two, when everyone was expecting cracks to widen and chaos to reign, it behaved honourably, even if runs were always hard to come by.

One in five balls either beat the bat or caught the edge but for the majority of the day, batsmen somehow found a way to survive.

As for the last three days, who would know?

The wicket has produced plenty for batsmen. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

It’s a lottery.

The suspicion is the deck has a big collapse or two in it.

Before play on Saturday the pitch was swarmed by curious Australian officials who looked like a forensics team searching for a finger print.

Given the new venue has no history, the wicket debate gave it the character and flavour it otherwise lacked.

Even if it falls to pieces on Sunday there should be no howls of protest because the game is craving more decks of character.

The pitch has also given plenty for bowlers. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Last season’s drab MCG drawn Ashes Test produced an allergic reaction to flat decks.

There has been no official directive to produce grassy wickets but groundsmen have had whispers in their ear to make sure there is no repetition of the tiresome MCG track.

This pitch has been hard work for batsmen but bowlers have still had to work hard for their wickets.

The only certainty will be whoever wins this Test will have earned it.

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Originally published as Lottery deck delivers the perfect Test for Perth